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Express Entry invitations remain high in latest draw

What is the change? Canada has conducted its 12th Express Entry draw of the year, issuing 3,687 invitations to apply for permanent residency. The lowest qualifying score was 415.

What does the change mean? The number of invitations issued was on par with other draws conducted so far in 2017, and up significantly compared with draws in 2015 and 2016. The minimum qualifying score of 415 was the lowest qualifying score to date (tied with the minimum score in the April 19 draw), indicating that a wide pool of candidates continues to be accepted.

Background: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada made changes to the Comprehensive Ranking System in November. The changes benefit candidates with a valid job offer that is not supported by a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment, provided that the employee has worked for the employer for a year and the job is in NOC 0, A or B occupations. The new scoring system also benefits candidates who have completed post-secondary education in Canada. Additional changes to the scoring system are set to go into effect in June, and they should help attract Francophone immigrants and those with siblings in Canada.

There have been 12 draws so far this year:

Date

Invitations

Score

Jan. 3

2,902

468

Jan. 11

3,334

459

Jan. 25

3,508

453

Feb. 8

3,664

447

Feb. 22

3,611

441

March 1

3,884

434

March 24

3,749

441

April 5

3,753

431

April 12

3,923

423

April 19

3,665

415

May 4

3,796

423

May 17

3,687

415

BAL Analysis: Wednesday’s draw continued the trend of high numbers of invitations and low minimum qualifying scores since the new scoring system was introduced. Canada has issued 43,476 Express Entry invitations so far this year, compared with 33,782 in all of 2016 and 31,063 in 2015.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.